A violent gust of wind erupted, sending dust and debris spiraling into the air. The entire ceremonial ground stood frozen, their prayers forgotten as they turned to witness the chaos unfolding before them.As the dust settled, a lone figure stood at the center of the commotion.Bon Everhart.In his left hand, he held Aisha—unconscious, yet unharmed. In his right hand, his blade gleamed under the dim light, already drawn and ready.A smirk played at his lips as he raised his voice. "Alright! I am Bon Everhart, the man who will be King of the Jungle, and I greet you all!"The entire village fell into silence, eyes wide in shock.Bon blinked."Wait… shouldn't they be screaming by now? Panicking? Running? Why are they just staring?" He thought, still holding his pose. "Did I mess up my entrance?"Hidden among the crowd, Azuya exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Idiot."Finally, one of the men stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence. "Who are you to dare cause such ruckus on this sacred day? Do you not fear death, boy?"Bon's smirk widened. Finally, someone stepped up.With a single swing of his sword, a massive gust of wind erupted, sending dust and loose garments flying. "And who are you to lecture me about death?" His voice was laced with mockery.His eyes scanned the villagers with disgust. "To think there are people foolish enough to offer children as sacrifices… what a joke." He spat on the ground. **"I am Bon! I challenge all of you to stop me from taking this kid away! And if your so-called Swamp God is real—let it try to take her from me!"His words rippled through the crowd, heavy with defiance.A wave of curses followed, villagers outraged by his blasphemy. "How dare he—!" "He defiles the sacred grounds!"Then, a scream."Look! The smoke!"All heads turned."The village is on fire!"Thick black smoke rose into the sky, engulfing the area in a choking haze. Bright flames consumed the wooden structures, spreading rapidly.Azuya's eyes widened before his instincts kicked in. He turned to the villagers beside him. "Forget the fire! We must bring the sacrifice to the Chief—NOW!"At his command, a group of men rushed Bon, weapons drawn.But they couldn't touch him.Bon moved like the wind itself, dodging every attempt to grab him, knocking out anyone who got too close. His movements were wild, unpredictable—like a predator toying with its prey."Damn it all! Why can't we get him? He's just a boy!" One of the villagers coughed, inhaling the thick smoke.Another man stumbled back, shaken. "It's like… it's like he has magic or something!"Azuya's gaze darkened. "He's a holder."The men froze in realization."A holder?!"Azuya nodded grimly. "Yes. He possesses the power of a Spirit Dive."One of the villagers paled. "You mean… that boy was chosen by the spirits? That he can wield their power?"Azuya clenched his jaw. "Exactly."The men exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the truth—ordinary people stood no chance against a Spirit Dive holder. No amount of training could prepare them for someone like Bon.By the time they looked back, Bon was gone—vanished into the smoke.
The Escape
Bon rendezvoused with Kartia, handing Aisha over to her.Kartia didn't hesitate, clutching Aisha close and sprinting toward the village's exit, her movements swift, precise."She's fast," Bon mused, watching her disappear into the distance."There he is!"Villagers spotted him again, their shouts echoing through the burning streets.Bon turned a corner, darting inside a burning house, hoping to shake off his pursuers.But as he stepped inside, his eyes widened.Amidst the thick smoke, he saw two figures huddled together—a man and a woman, embracing each other as the flames raged around them.They turned toward him, their eyes filled with recognition."It's you!" The woman gasped.Bon stopped in confusion. "Me?"She stepped forward. "Please… save my daughter."Bon stared at her, realization hitting him.The man beside her shook his head, his expression resigned. "Don't say that, honey. You know once a child is chosen… there's no escaping it."For a brief moment, Bon simply stood there, watching them—watching the blind devotion in their eyes, the acceptance of their fate.He hated it.His fingers clenched around his sword before he moved in a blur, knocking both of them out.He dragged their unconscious bodies out of the burning house, dumping them on the safe side of the street."This village needs a fresh start," he muttered.The Swamp God
BOOM!A deafening explosion rang from the ceremonial grounds, shaking the earth beneath Bon's feet.Then, a ferocious howling tore through the air—a sound so monstrous it sent a chill through the entire village.The villagers panicked, screaming."It's the Swamp God!""He has come to punish us!""The village is doomed!"Bon raced toward the sound, already knowing the truth.And as he reached the ceremonial grounds, he saw him.The Chief.But he no longer looked human.His teeth had become fangs, his nails sharpened into claws. His eyes—feral, ravenous, untamed—burned with a hunger that belonged to a beast, not a man.Bon's grip on his sword tightened."So that's your Spirit Dive, huh, old man?"The Chief let out a deep, guttural growl, his monstrous form looming over the broken altar.Bon pointed his sword at him, his grin never fading."People of this village!" His voice rang through the flames. "I will free you from this wretched beast! I will slay this thing and end it all!"The villagers watched in horror as Bon launched himself toward the Chief—toward the so-called Swamp God—toward the final battle that would decide the village's fate."H-He's a monster!" someone cried out."Run!" another voice followed, trembling with terror.The once fierce defenders of the Swamp God now scrambled backward, some tripping over themselves, others outright fleeing. The sheer force of Bon's attack had shattered their will to fight.But just as Bon was about to advance, a figure emerged from the smoke.Kartia.She stepped up beside him, her eyes sharp with determination."Leave them to me." Her voice was firm. "I have to beat some sense into them with my own hands."She drew eight daggers, the metal glinting under the fiery glow of the burning village.With a swift motion, she lowered her stance, her muscles tensing—ready for battle.